Myths on Medical Tourism

Here's a list of common myths about medical tourism. Knowing the facts can help you make an informed decision about traveling to the Philippines for medical reasons.

MYTH 1: Because it’s part of the tourism industry, medical tourism lacks credibility and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

FACT: First of all, the emphasis of the phrase is more on the medical aspect. It’s really about getting high-quality cost-effective healthcare services overseas, rather than obtaining treatments when you happen to be on vacation. If you decide to travel to the Philippines to seek medical treatment, be assured that Filipino doctors and health professionals have your safety and well-being as their top concerns. When you've recovered and received a clean bill of health from your doctor, you can then explore different destinations in the Philippines.

MYTH 2: Low cost means low quality.

FACT: Not in the Philippines. Because of the low cost of living in the country compared to developed nations, the top medical facilities—visited by the Filipino elite and upper-class themselves—offer very affordable rates for expatriates and tourists. These hospitals offer state-of-art equipment that are at par with topnotch institutions in the US and Europe. Many of their doctors are internationally trained and have accumulated extensive experience in their medical specialties. You’ll certainly receive the highest level of healthcare—without the staggering bills.

MYTH 3: Medical tourism is new in the Philippines.

FACT: For decades, people have been traveling to the Philippines to seek medical treatment, but only in recent years has the country been well-known as healthcare destination. This is because of the phenomenal growth of travelers visiting the country for medical and health-related reasons. It’s surely a growing industry, but the Philippines has long achieved medical breakthroughs and milestones (link to Medical Milestones and Achievements), making it one of Asia’s most advanced nations in the field of healthcare. Moreover, leading hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) or certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). With expert medical knowledge and the latest infrastructure in place, your health at the Philippines is in good hands.

MYTH 4: There are better healthcare destinations in the world compared to the Philippines.

FACT: Different places offer different things, and the Philippines is unlike any other. Aside from being highly skilled and fluent in English, Filipino doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are naturally warm, friendly and caring—traits you’ll have difficulty finding in other countries. Topnotch hospitals in the Philippines are at par with, if not better-equipped, than most hospitals in the US. You can get the same high-quality healthcare at a cost 50% to 80% lower compared to Europe. So it’s not a surprise that a growing number of medical travelers have been going to Philippines for safe, reliable and affordable healthcare.

MYTH 5: The arrival of medical tourists in the Philippines will make access to healthcare difficult for local patients.

FACT: On the contrary, the development of medical tourism will boost the healthcare industry in general, allowing easier access to healthcare for ordinary Filipinos. Medical tourism makes hospitals constantly improve their services and facilities, which local patients benefit from. Some hospitals geared for medical tourism allocate a percentage of their cases to charity as part of their corporate social responsibility program. Hence, healthcare in the Philippines gets a big boost from medical tourism